Tesla Model S: Child of the revolution

California-based Tesla has achieved what the big brands seem unable to do: create a useable electric road car that is more fun than most petrol engines. We're blown away by the Model S...

Californian eco-elite – or prophets of a new world of electric mobility?

In 2008, Tesla became the first marque to put an electric roadster on the market that was not only emission-free, but also sheer joy to drive. The motor industry was baffled. Surely these Californians were the eco-elite; how could they become the prophets of a new world of comprehensive electric mobility? Five years later and Tesla has launched its first fully-developed-in-house model from the proverbial blank sheet of paper, beating VW, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar and the rest to this remarkable milestone. 

Is the Model S the iPhone of the motor industry?

So could the Tesla Model S be, as per the iPhone, a role model for an entire industry? We spent three days with the electric Californian saloon - and were deeply impressed within the first few metres. The generation that is comfortable with the Apple MacBook and iPhone will feel immediately at home in the cockpit of the Tesla: knobs and switches have been largely omitted, and in their place is a massive touchscreen display in vertical iPad format. In photographs it looks a little weird, but in real life it's a revelation. In a matter of seconds you can connect to the internet via smartphone hotspot, access your personal music playlist, surf full-screen through the net or navigate easily and quickly via Google Maps. Surely this is how life on board should be?

If Ryan Gosling is looking for a getaway car...

The various functions of the Tesla - from the electric charging system to the sunroof - can be controlled intuitively via apps. How is it, one wonders, that a small company like Tesla is able to outwit the interface designers of all other brands? But as for the rest of the interior, American mainstream styling is the order of the day - there are none of the values of BMW, Audi and so on in here. However, there is much to like, including one detail that really appealed to us: the simplicity and speed of pulling away from rest. You simply climb in, put the drive mode lever to 'D' and place your foot on the pedal, and there you are, gliding noiselessly along. No start button, no show, just immediate function. If Ryan Gosling is looking for the ideal getaway car for the sequel to 'Drive', he might just want to give Tesla CEO Elon Musk a nudge on Facebook.

Astronaut training

And now the fun really begins: if you have the joy of an empty, open road that allows you to use the pedal freely, the Tesla will eagerly buzz forward as though it learnt its acceleration from the roller-coaster at California's Magic Mountain amusement park. Then again, we did have the Model S Performance package and larger 85kWh battery, which makes a significant difference. Accompanied by a slightly unworldly buzz, the saloon shoots to 62mph in 4.4 seconds and on to 130mph while the driver's stomach rotates around its own axis and the passengers begin to squeak, as if they'd been locked in an astronaut training device at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The vast torque of 500Nm is available from a standing start, but perhaps the best part is your almost untroubled conscience: at the wheel of the latest roaring sports saloon you might usually feel a little uncomfortable, thinking of all those fossil fuels you're burning. Yet the Tesla gets no dirty looks from the PC brigade. 

Too good to be true?

Too good to be true? Perhaps it is. One catch, of course, is the recharging infrastructure. For those unusual people who have an invariably orderly daily routine, driving the same number of miles to work and back every day, the Tesla Model S is a good choice. You can charge the car overnight or perhaps at a socket at work (the time to do so varies with the current strength, but a full charge takes from around 8 to 15 hours). And while the Tesla's range is exceptionally good (you could comfortably expect to get 200-300 miles of 'normal' driving), a sporty driving style will seriously compromise the distance you can travel. For that non-stop trip to Milan or Paris, you're probably better off in a conventional car. For the moment, the Tesla is really only a winner as a second car.

Just the beginning

Should high-speed charging devices or battery exchange stations became the norm, however, things would be quite different. That just leaves the question of where the electrical energy to power the car ultimately comes from. Perhaps, while electricity is still largely derived from burning fossil fuels, the Tesla driver is currently less of an eco-warrior than he'd like to think. We are only at the beginning of (potentially) an age of electric mobility, but what the Tesla Model S does prove is that the electric alternative needn't be dull. Quite the contrary.

Photos: Jan Baedeker

For all tech specs, facts and details on the Tesla Model S, including a model configurator, see teslamotors.com.

Ellaspede Lifestyle

CYCLES EAST: SMALL BIKES, BIG ADVENTURE

There’s nothing worse than forum rumor. When a Son of Starbucks posts up an issue with a product, we take it seriously; very seriously. Often times, their claims can’t be substantiated with our usual methods. Then we call in the B-Squad.

Everybody needs one in the rolodex (people still have those right?), they’re the group of individuals you can turn to that will treat a product with no reverence, no remorse, and put it through punishment instead of light drizzle on the way to the latest gathering of graybeards. You don’t just find the B-Squad, they find you.

Our B-Squad consists of six of the finest miscreants around – Poll, Casey, Nate, KC, Josh, and Sunray. Not only are they lifelong motorcyclists/fabricators/ne’r do wells, but Poll is the brains behind the Dirtbag Challenge. Google it. If you don’t know about it, then you’re missing out on the finest knuckle dragging fun in all of motorcycling.

The plan was simple – five glorified pit bikes would cross Trans America Trail while Josh would drive a support truck to rendezvous with the team at certain points.

Sporting an estimated 11hp, the Honda CT90s would keep them on the road for some time, so there was a solid month of rain, snow, sleet, dirt, and other nastiness to throw at our Patrol gear. After recently completing a healthy development cycle of our own, we sent the gear back out for additional punishment.

Normally, a trip such as this would be quickly swept aside by the GS crowd, but that’s why you need a dash of crazy in your LinkedIn friends list. Not only were they literally going against the grain (the TAT has only been crossed East to West), but they were doing so with bikes never meant for the Long Way Round set.

Proving that the spirit of adventure is in foolhardiness, not farkles, the B Squad set out with a plan – ish.

These plans quickly went south. Apparently, 1 ton 1972 Dodge panel van proved to be less than reliable and soon dropped off from the trip. So, not even a couple days in, they were left with only they’re own wherewithal to make the journey.

The trial was not kind to the CT90s. Saddled with extra weight and well off the beaten path, broken parts, engines, and suspensions were the name of the game. For every 100 miles journeyed, multiple rebuilds were called for. Luckily, this wasn’t a job and everybody knows that five grown males quickly become juveniles when camping. Who wouldn’t want to spend a solid month goofing around on the road? Camp, eat, ride, goof off, repeat was the recipe for the day.

Not to mention the perpetual kindness of the ADV community. Those that don’t spend all their time keyboard jockeying were happy to supply parts, room, garages, and tools along the journey. Just goes to show that the kinship of motorcycling is alive and well off the forums.

Soon though, the road would catch up to them. One rider jetted out for his pregnant wife. Soon after that, another rider went down while racing the pack on Cinnamon Pass in CO. Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue but his Patrol pants were strapped to his motorcycle, not on his body, so a trip to the hospital was in order. A third rider spun a bearing and had to retire, but was the only large mechanical failure of the trip. Finally, another rider had a get off and injured his collarbone.

Then there were was one.

KC Miller, the man with the plan – 450 miles out of TN – managed to trudge his way through and make the final destination. The Highlander had made it to be the first person allegedly to cross the TAT West to East out of the five that started. With the bike sold, he was on his way home.

Five weeks of camaraderie, epic riding, breathtaking views, and camping had come to a close. Through all of the miles of mud, snow, tarmac, and sludge, not one gear malfunction was reported. However, we have a few ideas for next time. We’re sure the B-Squad will be ready.

 via ICON

Reggiani ssv

The Barstow

100% is releasing a new vintage goggle and released a short clip showcasing the new product.

Ducati 900 SS 1998 ´PYRENE´ by Radical Ducati

AVANT 


APRES

Norton Commando Seely:: photos by Thierry Dricot.

Thierry Dricot

via 8Negro

Vertu Constellation: The luxury smartphone

The new Vertu Constellation is a handmade amalgamation of titanium and luxurious calf leather, making it the true Rolls-Royce of mobile phones...

Are you looking for a smartphone that does away with mass production? Each Vertu Constellation is individually hand-crafted in England, out of the finest materials available. A titanium casing surrounds a vast 4.3-inch sapphire glass touchscreen and on the rear there’s a luxurious leather backrest, making the Constellation feel extra exclusive. Inside, the phone is running the respected Android Jelly Bean operating system and houses an impressive 32GB of internal storage. Additionally, there’s a 13-megapixel camera, capable of taking beautifully sharp photos and stunning HD video.

You’re spoilt for choice, too – that sumptuous leather back is offered in five different shades: cappuccino, mocha, orange, raspberry, and classic black. The Constellation is now available in all Vertu stores priced at 4,900 euros. This level of individualised luxury doesn't come cheap.

Photos: Vertu

For more information, see www.vertu.com

travaux ménagers